Arrive in Santiago and check into your fine hotel, where you’ll relax before setting out to explore this energetic, sophisticated city. Santiago is nearly surrounded by the Andes, which form an inspiring backdrop to your afternoon guided overview of this vibrant city. Explore the Plaza de Armas, the main square, and nearby Presidential Palace, enjoying wonderful views from the many hills that dot the city.

Today you fly by private charter flight from Santiago to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, to embark National Geographic Orion. The morning's charter flight offers impressive views of the stunningly rugged terrain of Patagonia as you venture further south, you'll enjoy lunch during a catamaran cruise of the scenic Beagle Channel before embarking ship.

By special permission visit the extraordinary Staten Island, one of the newest nature reserves in the southern hemisphere. National Geographic Orion is one of two expedition ships ever allowed to visit here—a place of superlatives, visited primarily by a few scientists and staff of the tiny naval observatory. The island was named by Dutch explorers in 1615. Its mountainous, forested landscapes and rugged fjords are beautiful, and you’ll revel in the exclusive opportunity to explore it. You will have a chance to experience colonies of seabirds and marine mammals rarely seen, and a chance to be one of the few expeditioners to step on and explore this remarkable island.

Each Falkland Island is a variation on the theme of topographical beauty with white-sand beaches, vaulting cliffs, windswept moors and the sunlit yellows and sage greens of waving tussock grass. The Falklands boast thousands of irresistible gentoo, rockhopper and Magellanic penguins, as well as wallows of elephant seals, and relaxed South American sea lions and fur seals hauled out on the rocks. Your visit to one of the most remote, windswept and arguably most important wildlife conservation sites in all of the Falklands, Steeple Jason, will allow you to hike across the island to the largest colony of black-browed albatross in the world—over 150,000 breeding pairs. It is also home to gregarious and rarest species of raptor in the world—the striated caracara, locally known as Johnny Rooks.

Your morning landing on Carcass Island provides the opportunity for a hike to view Magellanic penguins nesting among the tussock grass, a myriad bird life, local flora, and sweeping views of the harbor. Stop for a lavish Falkland Islands tea with longtime friends the McGill family, owners of the island. Your afternoon adventure is on Saunders Island where you'll visit a white sandy beach, only rivaled by the Caribbean. The island is home to gentoo and Magellanic penguins and be on the lookout for Conmerson’s dolphins surfing in the waves.

The largest and most populated city in the islands provides myriad options for exploration. A guided tour of the area to experience local “English” life; a visit to the family-owned and operated Long Island Farm with demonstrations of peat harvesting and sheep shearing along with a local tea service; a hike to Mount William, the historic site of a large battle during the Falklands War; or a short walk from the pier to the Stanley Growers Hydroponics Gardens that produces all the fresh produce for the small community of 2,500.

Rarely visited by outsiders, you have the unique opportunity to visit George and Barren Islands. The morning focus will be Zodiac rides and hikes to encounter sea lions, elephant seals, and Magellanic penguins. The afternoon takes you to the local settlement to experience sheep-shearing and a typical English tea.

Visit a local ranch for a superb barbecue. Mix with locals and ranch hands to learn about their ways of life.

This large island is a prime spot for excellent nature watching. Your expedition team members Tony and Kim Chater know it well—they previously owned the northern half of it! Today their property is merged with that of the other owner, Ian Strange, creating the New Island Conservation Trust so that the entire island is now a nature reserve. The aim to return the island to its previous glory before introduced predators arrived on the island, during the whaling and sealing days. They still graze sheep on a limited fenced-in area, while at the same time have been experimenting with re-establishing tussock habitat in another. From Settlement Harbour, you walk to a mixed colony of rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross, and king shags. You will also visit the newly established historical museum.

As you sail back to Ushuaia, an albatross or two may join the escort of seabirds that cross the bow and follow in your wake. There’s time to share photos with the onboard National Geographic photographer, catch up on the book you haven’t had a minute to read, and write emails home, saying “don’t want this to end.”

After breakfast, disembark in Ushuaia with some time to explore this southernmost city in the world before proceeding to the airport for your charter flight to Santiago for connecting overnight flights home.